All tagged Transition

Creating Meaningful Family Rituals and Traditions

Creating Meaningful Family Rituals and Traditions

Rachel Parris
Parenting

Welcoming a new baby into your family is a time of change and transformation. Because things are already shifting, it’s also a time that lends itself well to updating your rituals and traditions around the holidays.

There are many reasons we hold onto old rituals and traditions (you love them, social conditioning, passive aggressive family shenanigans, obligation) but it never hurts to take stock and see if what you’ve always done is still working for you now.

(Bonus, if your family or friends get weird about it, you can blame the baby. 😏)

Here are five questions to consider for building the type of holiday time that serves you and your family:

2020: Year In Review

2020: Year In Review

Rachel Parris
Business

I usually do a year end wrap up in January but this year I’m not feeling it. Taking a look back at our stats feels a bit like trying to put a big ol’ shine on a smelly turd. I’m not a big fan of positivity for positivity’s sake.

I did want to share two things that capture some of what I’m feeling about 2020 though.

The Blended Family Life

The Blended Family Life

Jordan Joanisse
Parenting

My 17 year old self would never have guessed that my life would end up here….a husband (who works out of town), three kids (each with a different mom), a roommate, dogs – and all of us living together in one home.

I would have guessed the kids part, and the marriage part, but that’s where the similarities would have stopped – I never would have guessed I would be living the blended family life.

My vision of life was simple – instead, I have had to learn to co-parent, manage other people’s family dynamics on top of my own and, in the process, have discovered an existence that is vibrant, complicated, and 100% worth it.

I am a mother of three children: an adopted daughter, a stepson, and a biological daughter.

The Limitations of New Parenthood

The Limitations of New Parenthood

Christine Jennings CD(DONA)
Postpartum

Stepping into new motherhood, I felt really prepared. I had an arsenal of doulas in my corner and I had a library of resources to draw from (should I need them). I felt quite confident that I could face the unknown and roll with the punches. Even with all the reassurances, it was still an initiation that my heart wasn’t prepared for.

Relationships Are Hard

Relationships Are Hard

Rachel Parris
Relationships

Welcoming a new baby into your family is an exciting and joyous occasion and it also puts significant strain on even the most rock solid relationship. Drs. John and Julie Gottman discovered that “67% of couples had become very unhappy with each other during the first three years of their baby’s life. Only 33% remained content.” (source >>)